cruiseweekly.com.au cruiseweekly.co.nz Wednesday 16th December 2020
Cruise Weekly today
Cruise Weekly today features three pages of all the latest cruise industry news plus a full page from Cruiseco.
Cruiseco Celebrity
CRUISECO is advertising its Celebrity Cruises itineraries for 2022, with wi-fi, a classic beverage package and gratuities all included. The 12-night Sydney to Auckland departure leaves 03 Jan 2022 aboard Celebrity Eclipse, while the 15-night Auckland to Sydney cruise departs 14 Jan 2022 aboard Eclipse, with Cruiseco’s deals including free airfare from SYD, MEL or BNE. For more information on these departures and other Cruiseco Celebrity offers for Australia and NZ itineraries for 2022, head to the back page.
MAJOR PRIZE
NCLH releases Stewardship Report NORWEGIAN Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has published its 2019 Stewardship Report, tracking the company’s progress towards its sustainability goals. The report highlights key advancements in environmental, social and governance areas, and includes confirmation NCLH has achieved an improved ‘B’ climate change score from CDP, a global non-profit charity group which evaluates about 10,000 companies globally every year to help them manage their environmental impact. The ‘B’ score is better than in prior years and is higher than the Marine Transport sector average of ‘C’ and the North American regional average of ‘D’. Achievements over the last year include the establishment of the Healthy Sail Panel in collaboration with Royal Caribbean Group to help inform the overall cruise
7 night Tasmania cruise for 2, onboard Royal Princess on a Mini Suite
OR
sector in the development of new and enhanced cruise health and safety standards in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCLH has strengthened its focus on reducing single-use plastics, with Norwegian Cruise Line becoming the first plastic water bottle-free major global cruise line via its partnership with JUST Goods Inc. Over the year NCLH also created a dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance department to drive its overall strategy and better coordinate departments across the organisation including health, medical, safety & environmental operations, human resources, legal and supply chain. NCLH relaunched its Hope Starts Here hurricane relief campaign, and donated US$3 million in cash and in-kind to assist relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian.
7 night Queensland cruise
for 2, onboard Coral Princess on a Mini Suite
+ $800 AUD EZAir Credit + $500 AUD Onboard Credit
Cruise Weekly
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There was also continued participation from NCLH team members giving back to the community through events such as beach clean-ups and Habitat for Humanity, and the cruise firm launched a number of philanthropic efforts such as the Giving Joy campaign which recognised teachers, and the Encore Moments celebration of everyday heroes. “Despite the public health challenges we currently face, our commitment to protect and preserve our oceans, the environment and the destinations we visit, while maintaining the culture of diversity, equality and inclusion in the workforce, remains at the very core of our everyday business operations,” said NCLH Chief Executive Officer Frank Del Reio. The full report is available for download at nclhltd.com.
MINOR PRIZE
20 x $100 AUD Visa Gift Cards up for grabs
Click HERE for more NZ t 0800 799 220
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Need a distraction amid the doom and gloom? Check out our daily puzzle page.
Wednesday 16th December 2020
MSC plastic initiative
Golf lovers getaway
BLUE Lagoon Cruises’ golf lovers Fiji island getaway sale ends this Fri. Buy now for 40% off fourand seven-night cruises and get four complimentary rounds, with only a down payment required. Two of the rounds are at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club and the other two are at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. Blue Lagoon’s cruises include all meals and selected beverages, with passengers required to pay the remaining balance 60 days prior to their travel date. Cruises are fully refundable should travel plans be disrupted by coronavirus, and will resume once flights to Fiji from Australia and New Zealand restart - CLICK HERE.
Hurti under attack
HURTIGRUTEN has been hit by an extensive cyberattack, which occured late Sun. As of yesterday, several of Hurtigruten’s key systems were still down. The cruise line is cooperating with Norwegian authorities and partners to obtain an overview of the situation and to limit the spread and damage, which was a “ransomware” cyberattack. If you need to get in contact, call on 1300 322 062.
MSC Cruises has signed a new maritime single-use plastic charter, an initiative of the UK Chamber of Shipping, which aims to scrap the use of single-use plastics by the end of 2021. The charter, which goes beyond the Government of the UK’s targets, is hoped to encourage more organisations to do more to combat single-use plastics, said MSC Director of Sustainability Linden Coppell (pictured). “According to research by the British Government, 80% of plastic enters the marine environment from land-based sources, especially via rivers, but clearly all of us in the shipping community must play our part,” she said. MSC last year eliminated 97 million items of plastic after identifying nearly 40,000 singleuse plastic items in its hotel operations, shops, restaurants
P&O app upcoming?
and kitchens. Nearly 20 million plastic straws were replaced in the year, including 9m compostable straws and plastic coverings for more than 10,000 sunbeds. A total of 12 tonnes of plastic packaging for dishwater detergents was also replaced with eco-friendly alternatives.
P&O Cruises Australia is considering a special smartphone application to streamline guests’ onboard experience. The cruise line has surveyed its customers on the benefits of the app, with respondents quizzed on services both before and during their cruise. Also in question were features that could help minimise lines and support social distancing practices and contact-free interactions. “As we prepare for the resumption of cruising, we are using our time well to find ways to improve the guest experience including the introduction of innovative technology solutions,” said Senior Vice President Guest Experience Peter Little. The survey was also designed to get a picture of how customers currently use their mobile phones during a cruise.
INTRODUCING THE TRAVEL DAILY TRAINING ACADEMY ‘HUB’ Your one-stop home for travel industry training. More modules added across 2020 and 2021.
Antarctica all inclusive
2022 and 2023 Cruises
ENDS THIS WEEK
LIMITED TIME, BEST OFFER
From $10,999* Cruise Weekly
*T&Cs apply
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©Destination NSW
Discover all the different Aboriginal cultural experiences travellers can engage in in NSW. Read more in the December issue of travelBulletin.
Wednesday 16th December 2020
PORTHOLE
Victoria shore power with Joel Katz MD, CLIA Australasia
HOBART recently bid farewell to Aurora Australis, the icebreaker which called the city home for more than 30 years. With Aurora Australis’ (pictured) replacement Nuyina entering service next year, seaplanes, helicopters, kayakers, jetskiiers and boatloads of revellers showed out on the weekend to see the ship off for what was likely to be her final trip out of Tasmania. The Australian Antarctic Division said unfortunately, a series of farewell events planned had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heading for Dubai, Aurora Australis left Princes Wharf with boats large and small in tow, having returned from its last mission to Antarctica in Mar. Once Aurora Australis arrives in the United Arab Emirates, she will be refurbished then either leased to another operator or sold. The Aurora Australis Foundation was established to try to save the vessel and transform it into a floating museum, and there was speculation she had been sold to the Government of Argentina for $2 million, but neither deal ever eventuated.
Cruisers are on board
CANADA’S Greater Victoria Harbour Authority will be moving forward on its shore power plans, it confirmed last week.
Seabourn extends
SEABOURN Cruise Line has extended its book with confidence policy through to the end of Jan. Guests can cancel bookings up to 30 days prior to departure for a 100% cruise credit that will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue, and will be able to be used through to the end of 2022. In addition, the policy includes a Best Fare Guarantee, ensuring guests can always request the lowest publicly available fare offered for their voyage in the event fares are lowered. Vice President Global Sales Steve Smotrys said the policies were designed to give guests more flexibility and peace of mind as they finalise their future travel plans.
EDITORIAL Editor in Chief and Publisher – Bruce Piper
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Cruise Weekly
Contributors – Myles Stedman, Adam Bishop, Nicholas O’Donoghue info@cruiseweekly.com.au info@cruiseweekly.co.nz
The organisation will proceed with the next stage of the project for the Victoria Cruise Terminal (pictured) at The Breakwater District, after Moffat & Nichol’s Ship Emission Mitigation Technology Assessment & Business Case indicated a reduction of more than 46% of greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air contaminants is achievable. The business case suggests the installation of shore power at two berths at Pier B, which welcomes 75% of all cruise ship calls during a season, would mark the equivalent of removing 1,394 cars from the road per year. The cost for the proposed solution is between C$23.3 million and C$24.8 million. 2019 revenue for Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, a notfor-profit, was C$16.3 million, and the organisation said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial impact of the project would not be able to be absorbed until a stabilisation of the cruise industry took place.
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Sean Harrigan, Hoda Alzubaidi advertising@cruiseweekly.com.au advertising@cruiseweekly.co.nz BUSINESS MANAGER Jenny Piper accounts@cruiseweekly.com.au
THE health measures developed by cruise lines in response to coronavirus have attracted considerable media interest in recent weeks, helping us to change the conversation around cruising in our region. They’ve also attracted welcome acknowledgement from government and health authorities as we discuss our vision for a phased and carefully controlled resumption. Though the suspension of cruising in Australia has been extended for another three months, it has been encouraging to hear from political leaders who see the importance of planning for our revival. Especially encouraging is the response from the cruising public. CLIA research shows that cruisers are eager to cruise again and are willing to comply with stringent public health measures in order to return to sea. People have grown accustomed to taking precautions on land and understand it is a small sacrifice to make in order to enjoy a cruise while at the same time upholding health and safety. The research shows 93% of cruisers support mask-wearing, 92% support social distancing and 88% support testing prior to embarkation. Though the cruise experience will undoubtedly change in response to COVID-19, it’s reassuring to know that our guests are ready and willing to embrace that change. To find out more about industry health measures, CLICK HERE.
Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia PO Box 1010 Epping NSW 1710 Australia Tel: (AU) +61 2 8213 6350 or (NZ) 0800 799 220 Tel: (Int’l) 1300 799 220 Every Thu we publish our consumer newsletter Travel & Cruise Weekly - sign up free at www.travelandcruiseweekly.com.au.
business events news
Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd ABN 73 123 041 485. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of the newsletter no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.
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Australia & New Zealand IN 2022
ALWAYS INCLUDEDSM : FREE WIFI, CLASSIC BEVERAGE PACKAGE AND GRATUITIES CRUISE DEPARTS 3 JANUARY 2022
CRUISE DEPARTS 14 JANUARY 2022
From $304 per person, per night!~
From $286 per person, per night!~
AUSTR ALIA
Sydney Eden
AUSTR ALIA
Bay of Islands
Tauranga
Auckland Picton
Milford Sound Doubtful Sound Dusky Sound
Sydney
Picton
Christchurch Dunedin
Hobart Milford Sound Doubtful Sound Dusky Sound
NEW ZEALAND
12 night holiday includes: • 11 night cruise from Sydney to Auckland aboard Celebrity Eclipse • All main meals+ and entertainment whilst on board • 1 night stay at the Skycity Hotel Auckland, incl. breakfast • Transfers between port, hotel and airport in Auckland • One-way airfare from Auckland to Sydney/Melbourne/ Brisbane
Outside from $3,890pp*
Balcony from $4,390pp*
Ex Adelaide - add $58pp
Tauranga
Auckland
Napier
Package ID: CEL18792
Inside from $3,640pp*
Bay of Islands
Napier Wellington Christchurch Dunedin NEW ZEALAND
Package ID: CEL18952
15 night holiday includes: • One-way airfare from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane to Auckland • 1 night stay at the Skycity Hotel Auckland, incl. breakfast • Transfers between airport, hotel and port in Auckland • 14 night cruise from Auckland to Sydney aboard Celebrity Eclipse • All main meals+ and entertainment whilst on board
Inside from $4,290pp*
Outside from $4,690pp*
Balcony from $5,350pp*
Ex Adelaide - add $24pp
*Prices are per adult in AUD, based on the lowest available twin-share accommodation in each of the specified categories, inclusive of Economy Class flights ex Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide) and air taxes, port charges and government fees. (excluding onboard purchases), correct as at 14 December 2020. Offers are valid for a limited time only, are for new bookings only, are capacity controlled, subject to availability/change and can be withdrawn or varied at any time without notice. ~Per person, per night price shown is based on the lowest priced twin-share category in each of the advertised sailings. Any additional accommodation and transfers made necessary due to flight schedules are the sole responsibility of the passengers. Single passengers must pay a single supplement. Some staterooms may have an obstructed view. All discounts/savings have been applied. “Always Included” Pricing packages apply to sailings booked and departing on or after 17 November 2020, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an Inside through to AquaClass stateroom (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests in an Eligible Booking who choose the “Always Included” pricing package will receive a Classic Beverage Package and Service Charges, plus an unlimited Surf Internet package for the 1st and 2nd guest. All guests in a stateroom must choose the same pricing package. To be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions of Celebrity Cruises, which passengers will be bound by. Agents may charge fees and/or fees for credit card payment which vary. Cancellation penalties and conditions apply.
CRUISECO ARE THE FLY/CRUISE PACKAGE EXPERTS. Call wait times average under 5 minutes and emails answered within a day. Call Reservations now on 1800 225 656 for enquiries on these packages or other Celebrity fly/cruise offers for 21/22